VIDALIA, La. – About 100 boxes of nonperishable food are available at Bethel Church near Vidalia to any Miss-Lou resident who needs them, courtesy of the Feed the Children program, the church’s pastor said.

The nonprofit organization, which is based in Oklahoma City, delivered the food to the church more than one month ago.

But so far, announcements on television and in newspapers have not spurred many people to ask for food boxes, the Rev. Troy Thomas said Wednesday.

&uot;I&160;know there’s a great need out there for this – it’s just a matter of having people come and receive it,&uot;&160;Thomas said.

&uot;Ministers can pick up boxes for people they know that need it, but only five or six pastors have done that so far.&uot;

This not the first time Feed the Children, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit, has brought hundreds of boxes of beans, rice, canned goods and other staples to Concordia Parish.

In mid-November, the organization brought about 350 boxes of food to the church for distribution.

The ministry brought seven trucks of food to Ferriday in 1997 and returned to give away about 1,400 boxes of food in August of last year.

&uot;It’s possible for us to get a truckload every month, but people have to take advantage of it,&uot; Thomas said.

Bethel Church, which is located at 204 Airport Road, can be reached at 336-9576.